Happy Birthday Grandma Debi

We all love you very much. Hope you have a wonderful day. 

Happy Birthday!

The final stop.

A few stores past Vecchittos is the Carousel. This is another family favorite that has been around forever. It is only operated two short hours each day, 7-9pm, and is always the final stop of the day. But the amazing thing about this carousel is the rings. For each ride there is an arm that holds 19 silver rings followed by the final, and beloved gold ring. The person who receives this ring also receives a free ride!

A family favorite.

 Dad getting his first ring.

Mom getting yelled at for being on the outside of the horse... 

I knew it was safer on the inside but I also knew that was the best placement 

for me to reach the rings.

And I was right, I didn't get a single one.

So Dad passed some back to Amelia so she could hold them as we rode. 

Family Photo.

Vecchittos

We can't visit the beach without a stop at our favorite italian ice shop, Vecchittos! 

 Yum!

 This year they were both awake for the trip!

And both LOVED it!

To see how much they've changed over the year, 

here's a picture of them last year when we got italian ice. 

A day at the beach

We spent a day at the beach... well to be more accurate... the girls spent an hour (tops) at the beach and while they were napping Auntie and Mom spent a few more hours napping by the ocean. Apparently sand touching their feet and cold water was not their idea of fun. 

 Scooping sand into the pail was enjoyable.

 And eating the shovel was pretty fun too.

 Scooping sand onto the blanket was a good way to pass the time.

I'm miserable and you are taking pictures. I'm glad you find humor in my misfortunes Mom.

Tell us how you really feel about the beach Emma.

Round and Round

By far, the best ride of the night was the carousel. I lost count at how many times we rode, but lets just say the ride operator stopped taking our tickets and just let us ride for free.

Here's two tickets Dad, lets go on the carousel!

"Hi Mr. Horse."

Amelia always has time for a crazy face.

Waving to her fans.

Best. Ride. Ever.

Emma gives the carousel a thumbs up!

Why so serious?

Loving life.

A family of carnies

Our second carnival of the summer was another fun evening. 

This time, we had tears because they didn't want to get off the rides. 

 A few inches too short... maybe next year. 

Fingers crossed you take after your dad kiddo!

 Yup, that's real life.

Ring, ring!

 I swear, the ride operator asked us if we wanted to ride... 

not the other way around!!! 

Family of carnies!

Poor Sign Placement

 The girls loved visiting with the donkey. 

He followed them around and was really sweet.

 

We spent some time petting him and giving love.

And then as we were leaving his area we saw this sign... really good to know.

Luckily there were no fingers lost on this adventure :)

Momma Monkey

We saw a very cool thing at the zoo. A momma monkey was carrying her baby. If you look close at these pictures you can see the baby nestled in the mothers side. 

 You can see the baby monkeys head on the left side of 

this picture and the arms wrapped around it's mother. 

Watching the monkeys was a huge highlight of the afternoon!

A day at the zoo

Auntie and Uncle Mike brought us to the zoo at Forest Park. We had a fun afternoon and spent most of our time waving hello and making lots of animal sounds. 

Do you see the baby monkey way up high? Hi monkey.

Our favorite animal of the day, an armadillo named Sheldon. 

He was really cool to watch run around and got many laughs. 

 Auntie showing Emma the lizards.

Hey, how are things today?

Flapping her elbows like a peacock.

Goats are creepy, mom agrees.

Hi...thing that looks like a rabbit dog.

 Best activity of the day, we found a rope so we were jumping and pulling it up and down.

And running with Uncle Mike was fun too!

And no trip is complete without the standard face cutout photo.

Thanks Auntie and Uncle Mike for a fun afternoon!

Happy 4th!

Hope everyone had a wonderful day filled with family and friends and pinwheels and chocolate covered bananas!

Nothing says 'we are ready to party' like red, white, and blue pinwheel headbands!

 Check out Amelia's little 'tude.

Blowing pinwheels is cooler than wearing pinwheels!

Chocolate covered bananas. What... it's healthy, right Mom?

Is any actually making it into your mouth Amelia?